The meadowhawks (genus Sympetrum) are small skimmers of mid-late summer and early fall. Wisconsin hosts 8 species and although most are common, they can be extremely difficult to tell apart, especially without capture. Coloration on the face, legs, and wing veins are important for identification, but even with good photos a conclusive ID may be impossible. Autumn Meadowhawks are very common across Wisconsin and have the latest flight period of any dragonfly here, often lingering into November! All show distinctive yellow to dusky (not black) legs (hence their former name of "Yellow-legged Meadowhawk"). Adult males have a red abdomen without black triangles. Females have an obvious spout on the underside of the abdomen. Beware of Saffron-winged Meadowhawk (S. costiferum), which has black legs striped with yellow and also lacks prominent black triangles on the abdomen.